Tank heater



Nov. 2 a 1926- 1,604,988

F. H. GILCHRIST TANK HEATER Filed July 26 I 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,192e. Y 1,604,988 2 F. H. GILCHRIST TANK HEATER Fil y 1921 2 Sheets-Shet 2 ited Nov. 2, 1923.68

UNITED PATENT FRANK H. GILCHRIST, OF JULIET, ILLINOIS, ASSIGIIOR TO THE FLINTKO'IE GOM- JE'ANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAfiSAGI-IUSETTS.

TAN K HEATER.

Application filed July 26,

In order to draw oil liquids such as heavy oils or asphalt from storage tanks, particularly in cool weather it is often necessary to apply heat to render, the viscid contents sutliciently fluid to flow or be pumped read ily. For this purpose such tanks are usually supplied with internal coils or lines of piping through which steam is passed, these heating pipes being disposed over a l e area at the bottom of the tank and of surficient capacity to heat the entire contents. As the tanks have a lane superficial area exposed it is evident that, particularly in cold weather, there is a liiirge loss of heatby radiation and convection, necessitating large coil capacity, anda considerable expenditure of steam for effecting the desired result. Moreover, considerable time is required after the steam is turned on for the tank contents to become sufliciently fluid to be drawn ofi.

lVhen intermittent or occasional drawing oil is desirable it evident that with this construction heat must be applied continuously in order that the drawing. when re- (paired is not unnecessarily delayed. Heat inp; is then a very considerable item of expense.

This invention provides a method of constroction whereby a material saving of heat may be effected without sacrificing" any dc sirable results. By this method no attempt is made to heat and to maintain hot the entire contents of the tank simultaneously, but only to heat that portion of: the contents adjacent to the outlet to maintain it in condition to be readily drawn oii the adjacent cooler and more viscid material. moving into the heated Zone as the heated material is drawn off.

In order to carry out this method a comparatively small heating element is placed in the tank near the outlet, this element being preferably partially enclosed to localize the heating effect but suliiciently open to permit the unheated more viscid material to move into the heated zone as fast as it is required to be drawn oil. The cooler material forms during; the heating operation a non-conducting casing for the heated portion, preventing radiation oi. heat to the surrounding atmosphere and such radiation as is permitted is utilized to heat the mate rial to be drawn ofl later.

For a more complete understanding of 1921. Serial No. 487 809.

this invention, together with further objects and advantageous details and combinations of parts, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof in which Figure 1 is a partial vertical cross section through a pair of storagetanks showingtwo forms of heating elements constructed according}; to this invention.

Figure 2 is horizontal cross section of the same.

Figures 3, vations and top plan view, respectively, of the casing for one of these elements.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a heating coil. I

Referring; to Figures 1 and 2, at A are shown tanks for containing; the oil. asphalt; or other material to be drawn 0H. While as shown these tanks are of a stationary type, it is evident that a similar construction could he applied to tank cars or any other type of tank receptacle, wherein material of this kind may be stored. In the lower portion of each tank is shown the usual system of heating coils or pipes at 1, it being preferable to employ such pipes when it is desired to heat the tank more thoroughly than can be done by the mechanism of this invention as when it is required to clean the tank, or when it is desired to empty the entire tank in an expeditious manner. As shown these pipes may extend entirely through the walls ot. the tank. being connected at their ends outsidethereot as shown in the left hand tank in these figures, or they may be formed as flattened coils as shown in the righthand tank, or in any other suitable or usual manner, these coils being o1 sufficient area to expeditiously heat the entire contents of the tank.

An outlet pipe for each tank is shown at 2, these pipes extending to a substantial distance within the outer tank wall and being steam jacketed or otherwise heated outside the tank. In the left h and tank, as shown in these figures, this pipe extends within metallic casing 3 of comparatively small size relative to the tanl: and positioned entirely therein having perforations i in its top and side faces through which the material may flow inwardly toward the pipe. Positioned substantially surrounding the inner end of this outlet pipe is a series of heating pipes arranged shown in parallel l and 5 are side and end ele casing 30 is formed of a pair of'mating sec tionsfil and .32 (seeFig ires 8, at, and 5), these sections having flangesfiii and Stat their adjacent edges which maybe bolted together to form a substantially rectangular box open atjitsilower end and supported fromvth e bottom t theltank by means oi standardsBG. Holes A0 aremade through the side walls andtopofthe enclosure to allow' the material to pass I therein toward the outlet/pipe, the inner end ot'whioh passes within the casing. In this torm lalso the heat ng clementisshownas a 00:11 (see Figure .6), the upper end of thiscoihbeing dropped down within the interior and pref erably forming the inlet and, though the heating agent might be forced in the reverse direction if desired. .The casing is spaced somewhatfrom thetank wallsiso as to be entirely surrounded by the cooler ,tank con tents.

,Inboth formsthe enclosure for the heating element is substantially smaller, than the entire tank so that a comparatively small portion of the contents is heated at one time. The casing servesto effectually break up any considerable amount of convection currents in the material which would tend to heattlie entire contents, but is sufficiently open to permit the heavy material to pass intothe enclosure as tastes itmaybe drawn ottthroughfthe outlet pipe- 2.

,Should intermittentuse be desired, it is only necessary that suflicient .material be heated for each withdrawal in thereceptacle, i f the openings in the receptacle are large enough to permit the unheated material to replenish that drawn off during the intervals between drawing oil.

.While certain embodiments of heating elements have been shown it is evident that the type of element is immaterial to this invention and that other than coils niight be employed if it should be found desired and that coils in other arrangement than shown maybe employed without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. It is also evident that many other changes and modifications might be made therein W1thout departing from the inventive ideaor the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In combination, a. conta iner,. an,outlet pipe projecting into said container, a heating element located adjacent the innerend of said pipe and a partial enclosureqtor said pipe and element entirely w ithin sai d coil- .tainer.

2. In con'ibination, a container havingan outlet, a pair otheating elements in said containenrone of said elements being positioned adjacent said outlet, and,a partial enclosure for said one element.

3.In combination, a storage receptacle, a two part perforated casing having an open lower end snpportedtrom; the bottom vithin saidreceptacle, an outlet pipe for said receptacle projecting into said casing,. and,a heating coil of relatively large size compared to said casing positioned therein adjacent said outlet pipe.

4. In combination, a storage receptacle, a casing of relatively 'small sizepositioned en tirely within said .receptacle,near its lower portion, an outlet pipe tor saidreceptacle projecting into said casing,.and a heating element of relatively large size positioned within said receptacle.

In combination, astorage receptacle, a casing of relatively small size positioned within said receptacle so as to be entirely surrounded by the contents of said receptacle, an outlet pipe for said receptacleprojecting within said casing, and aheater'in said casing.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

FRANK H. GILCHBIST, 

